Fence-post



(No Model.) T. S. RIDDEL.

FENGEPOST.

No. 448,078. Patented Mar. 10,1891.

FFICE TICE S. RIDDEL, OF EUGENE, OREGON.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 448,078, dated March 10, 1891.

Application filed April 29 18,90.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Tron S. RIDDEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Eugene city, in the county of Lane and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to fence-posts, and the objects in view are to provide means for preserving said posts against early rotting.

It is well known among those conversant with fences that the posts thereof rot at a point slightly above the ground in a comparatively short time after the construction of the fence, thus rendering the fence weak and liable to be blown down by heavy winds, and in a short time, if not blown down, to fall down by sheer rotting away at the point mentioned. To avoid this, numerous liquid applications of turpentine, tar, oil, duo, have been suggested and employed with more or less good effect; but upon all such occasions great difficulty is experienced in impregnating the post with the preservative and great loss was sustained by reason of the liquid being absorbed by the earth adjacent to the post and by be ing floated 0E by water. By my invention, however, I propose to avoid these disadvantages and provide a post capable of receiving and storing a quantity of the liquid, and this in such a manner as to prevent any waste of the same and maintain said liquid in a position to be gradually absorbed until the entire post near the points where it enters the ground has become thoroughly impregnated and saturated.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a perspective of a fence-section constructed in the usual manner and posts constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail in perspective of the post. Fig. 3 is a similar view, the post ready for insertion in the ground. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the same.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 designates a wooden post, of any ordinary construction, the opposite faces of which are provided with a series of two or more vertical grooves or recesses 2, arranged side swarm. 349,913. (No model.)

by side. If desired, these grooves 2 may be formed upon only one side of the post, but in either instance are formed at those portions of the post adjacent to the surface of the ground. The grooves 2 are deepest at their lower ends and gradually grow shallower toward the upper ends, so that in reality they constitute a series of oil and tar receivin g pockets or reservoirs separated from each other by thin partitions 3. Below the grooves occurs that portion of the post designed to be inserted in the ground, and above the same are secured the panel-sections or wires 4.

In employing the post the pockets or reservoirs are filled with oil, the post being in a horizontal position, after which there is laid over the pockets a thin packing of tarred paper or fabric 5, and upon the said packing a plate 6, preferably of galvanized iron, which is secured in position upon the packing by screws or other fastening devices 10. It will thus be observed that the pockets are all filled with oil and tar, which is prevented from escape by the packing and plate, or from being absorbed by the plate by reason of the same being metallic. The pockets are also airtight, which tends to prevent any rotting of the post, and the contents of said pockets are gradually absorbed by the 'wood until the latter has become thoroughly impregnated and saturated. As before stated, the pockets at their bottoms are curved and slant toward the exterior of the post, so that the body of oil within each pocket, as it diminishes by absorption, is directed by said bottom not toward the interior of the post, which is always the last to rot, but toward the exterior, (as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 4,) where the first indications of rot always appear. Thus the post is more effectually preserved against decay, as the external layers of the wood are the last oiled, and such absorption continues as long as there is a particle of oil left in the pocket.

A post thus constructed is positively'preserved against early rotting and requires no attention in the way of oiling for a long period of time.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is The herein-described post, having opposite faces provided with a series of parallel lon- In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 10 gitudinally-disposed short pockets or holes, my own I have hereto a-flixed my signature in the bottoms of which are at one side of the presence oftwo Witnesses. center of the post or terminate short of said 5 center and are inclined toward the exterior TIOE S. RIDDEL.

of the post, the sheets of packing covering the pockets, and the metal plates covering \Vitnesses: the packing-sheets and secured in position, substantial] y as specified. i

SEYMOUR WV. CONDON, R. W. DAYTON. 

